Library

Registration

Registering your child for school

To register your child for school you can download and complete the registration forms, but you must take them in person to your local school(during the summer, registration packets may be turned in to the District Office at 1306 Dupont Street). Registration forms can be found on our forms webpage.

In-person registration is required to verify identification and age. For students who have not previously enrolled in Bellingham Public Schools you will need:

Your child's birth certificate or other official verification of age such as a passport, visa or DSHS Medicaid Voucher,

If you are registering your child for high school, you may pick up the forms at your local high school.

Kindergarten Information

There are 14 elementary schools in Bellingham, all with full-time kindergarten programs. Kindergarten registration begins in March every year. Please contact your neighborhood school to register. During the summer, families can register their child at the District Office.

Children must be 5 before Sept. 1 to attend kindergarten. Kindergarten tours and open houses begin in May. Check with your school office for early entrance opportunities. Click here to locate your neighborhood school.

Kindergarten First Day of School

For grades 1 to 12 Wednesday, August 23 is the first day of school. However, kindergartners start on a modified schedule as follows: August 24 and 25 will be half-days with the first full day for kindergartners starting on Monday, August 28.

Why Full-Time Kindergarten?

We offer a full-time kindergarten program at all elementary schools at no cost to district families. Students attend kindergarten on the regular elementary school schedule (new schedule starting 2017-18), 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Please click here to watch a 4-minute video of some of our kindergarten teachers sharing their thoughts about full-time kindergarten.

Fill out the forms below and take them to your neighborhood school to register.

Immunization records (if available ahead of time from your pediatrician)

Proof of residency

Kindergarten Immunizations:

Before a student can attend school, parents must provide proof of full immunization, proof that a schedule of immunization has been started or a certificate of exemption. Immunization must be provided against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio, mumps, measles, rubella, hepatitis B and varicella.

Immunizations protect the health of your child, and the health of others. State law requires that children entering Kindergarten must have certain immunizations. For Kindergarten entry:

2 doses of Varicella (Chickenpox) given on or after 1st birthday and received at least 28 days apart OR Blood test (titer) showing immunity to Varicella OR health care provider diagnosis is acceptable. Parent reported history of disease is NO longer acceptable

5 doses of DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
5th dose must be given on or after 4th birthday or 4 doses are acceptable, if 4th dose was given on or after the 4th birthday.

4 doses of Polio - 4th dose must be given on or after 4th birthday or 3 doses are acceptable, if 3rd dose was given on or after the 4th birthday.

2 doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) given on or after 1st birthday and received at least 28 days apart OR Blood test (titer) showing immunity to Measles, Mumps, or Rubella is acceptable

3 doses of Hepatitis B; dose 3 must be given on or after 24 weeks of age.